System and method for casino player tip processing

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for processing jackpots, including providing jackpot-related forms such as tax forms to jackpot winners, suspending jackpot processing, integrating jackpot processing with other features such as loyalty and financial/wallet features and systems, replenishing jackpot payment pouches, and processing of player tips, such as from jackpot funds, are provided.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 63/178,109, filed Apr. 22, 2021, which prior application isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to casino gaming, including casino gameawards such as jackpots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Casino winnings may be paid in different manners. For example, relativeto a gaming machine which is capable of dispensing monetary winnings ora monetary value ticket or the like, the winnings may be directlyawarded and then dispensed to the player. As one example, a player mightwin $500. Those winnings might be associated with a monetary valuecredit meter at the gaming machine. The player might then elect tocash-out that balance, including the winnings, as either coins dispensedat the machine or, in most modern gaming machines, a monetary valueticket which can be redeemed.

A casino may desire, however, to validate larger jackpots. In thatevent, the gaming machine may report a jackpot win to the casino gamingsystem. However, the jackpot winnings may not be awarded until casinopersonnel validate the win.

In addition, some jurisdictions like the U.S. require that a casinoreport player winnings over certain thresholds. For example, relative toa gaming machine, this threshold is currently $1200 in the U.S. In asituation where a player wins more than $1200.00, the casino willgenerally require the player to complete a jackpot winnings form whichthe casino can then use to report the jackpot win to the InternalRevenue Service of the U.S. government. This form, called a W2G in theU.S., includes information regarding the amount of the win and theplayer's identity (such as their name and social security number and thelike).

One problem for casinos is that the player must later submit a copy ofthe tax reporting form with their tax return. Thus, a casino mustgenerally provide a copy of the tax reporting form to the player, suchas in the form of a receipt. However, players often lose their copy ofthe form. At tax filing time (usually April 15 of each year in theU.S.), players often bombard casinos with requests for copies of theirtax reporting forms.

Other problems currently exist with the processing and payment ofjackpots. For example, in the situations where the casino desires todirectly pay a jackpot to a player (as opposed to forcing the player totravel to a casino cage to obtain their winnings), the casino mustsupply customer service personnel with sufficient funds to pay theplayer. Given the number of jackpots that a casino may need to pay in aday, this creates complexities with keeping the customer servicepersonnel sufficiently funded, but at the same time ensuring that thefunds are trackable and remain secure.

Solutions to these and other problems are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, methodsand systems for processing jackpots, including providing jackpot-relatedforms such as tax forms to jackpot winners, suspending jackpotprocessing, integrating jackpot processing with other features such asloyalty and financial/wallet features and systems, and processing ofplayer tips, such as from jackpot funds.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a system for generating andsecurely transmitting gaming win reporting forms to a player comprising:a mobile attendant device, the attendant device comprising a processorconfigured to execute machine readable code, a memory, a display device,at least one user input device and machine-readable code stored in thememory, a jackpot processing server comprising a processor configured toexecute machine readable code, a memory, a communication interface, andmachine readable code stored in the memory the executable by theprocessor, wherein the machine readable code of the jackpot processingserver configured to cause the processor thereof to, in response toreceiving an indication of an occurrence of a designated game win by aplayer, collect information regarding the player from a remote sourceand cause the mobile attendant device to display one or more game winforms relating to the game win, the one or more game wins populated withthe information regarding the player and information regarding the gamewin, the machine readable code of the mobile attendant device configuredto cause the processor thereof to receive a player's signature relativeto the one or more forms via the at least one user input device, themachine readable code of the mobile attendant device configured to causethe processor thereof to transmit confirmation of the one or more winforms to the jackpot processing server, and the machine readable code ofthe jackpot processing server configured to cause an email to betransmitted to an email address identified by the player, the emailincluding a web-server link to the one or more forms, the machinereadable code of the jackpot processing server configured to, inresponse to a player clicking on the webserver link from a player'scomputing device, to transmit to the player a second communicationhaving a verification code associated therewith, and the machinereadable code of the jackpot processing server configured to, inresponse to receiving the verification code from the player, transmitthe one or more forms to the player's computing device.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a system for suspendingthe processing of a player gaming machine win comprising a mobileattendant device, the attendant device comprising a processor configuredto execute machine readable code, a memory, a display device, at leastone user input device and machine-readable code stored in the memory, ajackpot processing server comprising a processor configured to executemachine readable code, a memory, a communication interface, and machinereadable code stored in the memory the executable by the processor, themachine readable code of the jackpot processing server configured tocause the processor thereof to, in response to receiving an indicationof an occurrence of a designated game win by a player, cause the mobileattendant device to display information regarding the designated gamewin, the machine readable code of the mobile attendant device configuredto cause the processor thereof to receive an image of at least a portionof the player from an image capture device of the mobile attendantdevice, the machine readable code of the jackpot processing serverconfigured to create and store a record comprising information regardingthe game win along with information identifying the player and theimage, and the machine readable code of the jackpot processing serverconfigured to generate and store information regarding a game winreceipt for issuance to the player.

Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a system forelectronically processing a jackpot gaming machine win to a player witha player-provided tip, comprising a mobile attendant device, theattendant device comprising a processor configured to execute machinereadable code, a memory, a display device, at least one user inputdevice and machine-readable code stored in the memory, a jackpotprocessing server comprising a processor configured to execute machinereadable code, a memory, a communication interface, and machine readablecode stored in the memory the executable by the processor, the machinereadable code of the jackpot processing server configured to cause theprocessor thereof to, in response to receiving an indication of anoccurrence of a designated game win by a player, cause the mobileattendant device to display information regarding the designated gamewin, including an award amount thereof, the machine readable code of themobile attendant device configured to cause the processor thereof toreceive input of an amount of a player-designated tip from the awardamount and transmit the amount of the player-designated tip to thejackpot processing server, the machine readable code of the jackpotprocessing server configured to reduce the award amount by the amount ofthe player designated tip, and the machine readable code of the jackpotprocessing server configured to transmit information regarding theamount of the player designated tip to a financial server forprocessing.

Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a system for trackinga jackpot pouch balance and replenishment funds in the jackpot pouchcomprising a mobile attendant device, the attendant device comprising aprocessor configured to execute machine readable code, a memory, adisplay device, at least one user input device and machine-readable codestored in the memory, a processing server comprising a processorconfigured to execute machine readable code, a memory, a communicationinterface, and machine readable code stored in the memory the executableby the processor, at least one kiosk, the kiosk comprising a housing, aprocessor, a memory, machine-readable code stored in the memory andexecutable by the processor, at least one display, and at least onecurrency dispensing device, the at least one kiosk in communication withthe processing server, the machine readable code of the processingserver configured to cause the processor thereof to create and store arecord regarding information regarding funds associated with a pouch ofan attendant, the information comprising a starting balance of funds,the machine readable code of the kiosk configured to cause the processorthereof to receive a request from the attendant to sell a jackpotpayment, the machine readable code of the processing server configuredto cause the processor thereof to transmit, to the mobile attendantdevice, a redemption code in response to the request, the machinereadable code of the kiosk configured to cause the processor thereof toreceive input of the redemption code by the attendant, and the machinereadable code of the processing server configured to transmit, inresponse to the kiosk receiving the redemption code, an instruction tocause the kiosk to issue currency in the amount of the jackpot payment,to the attendant and to update the information regarding fundsassociated with the pouch to include the amount of the jackpot paymentand the amount of currency dispensed to the attendant at by the kiosk.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention overthe prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of thedrawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 2-5 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof jackpot processing in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 6-17 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof jackpot process suspension in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 18-24 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof jackpot processing and secondary service integration in accordancewith the invention;

FIGS. 25-29 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof jackpot pouch management in accordance with the invention; and

FIGS. 30-31 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof a tipping feature in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough description of the present invention.It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known features have not been described in detailso as not to obscure the invention.

Embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, methodsand systems for processing jackpots, including providing jackpot-relatedforms, such as tax forms, to jackpot winners, suspending jackpotprocessing, integrating jackpot processing with other features such asloyalty and financial/wallet features and systems, and processing ofplayer tips, such as from jackpot funds.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, which comprises asystem 20. The system 20 may be referred to as a gaming system. As notedbelow, portions of the system might belong to or be operated by a casino(or the owner thereof) or entities other than a casino, and might beon-site or off-site as to the casino. In one embodiment, the system 20may comprise elements associated with a casino, while other elementsmight be associated with third parties, such as a casino vendor orfinancial processor.

As indicated, a casino C may include one or more devices and/or systemsand may be associated with one or more physical locations. In oneembodiment, the casino C may include one or more gaming devices 22. Suchgaming devices 22 may have various forms and be configured to present awide variety of games. For example, the gaming devices 22 might comprise“slot” type gaming machines (having mechanical or video-simulatedreels), video poker gaming machines, or other types of gaming machineswhich are now known or later developed. In general, the gaming devices22 are preferably configured to present one or more games (generallygames of chance or games that include a skill component but which arestill predominantly games of chance), such as in exchange for theplacement of a wager.

In one embodiment, certain game outcomes (but preferably not all gameoutcomes) may be designated as winning outcomes (the non-winningoutcomes may be referred to as losing outcomes). Prizes or awards may beprovided for winning outcomes, such as monetary payments (orrepresentations thereof, such as prize of credits). The awards mightcomprise, for example, awards of monetary value credits. Awards of alarge size may be referred to as a “jackpot” award. In one embodiment,smaller awards might be awarded to the player as monetary value creditswhich are associated with a monetary value credit balance at the gamingmachine. The player may be permitted to cash-out those credits, such asto a monetary-value ticket which the player can redeem at a kiosk orcashier station for cash (e.g. coins or currency) or as monetary valueassociated with a gaming account, bank account or the like. However, asindicated herein, jackpots might be processed in other manners.

The gaming device 22 might be configured as a stand-alone device (suchas where the one or more games are presented by execution ofmachine-readable code by a processor or controller of the gamingmachine) or as a server-based device (e.g. where certain information orinstructions is generated remotely, such as by a gaming server, and istransmitted to the gaming device) for presenting games as Class IIIgames (as defined by the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) or as aserver-based device for presenting games as Class II games (as definedby the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act).

The gaming devices 22 might comprise other than gaming machines, andmight comprise, for example, gaming tables or other gaming devices. Forexample, the gaming devices 22 might comprise gaming tables at whichcard games, dice games, roulette or other games are presented. A casinomay have numerous such gaming devices 22, such as located on a casinofloor or in other locations.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the casino C may include one or more systemsand/or system elements, such as system servers. For example, the casinoC might include one or more casino servers 24. The casino server 24 maycomprise a computing device which comprises at least one processor forreceiving information, processing information or executing code orsoftware, and generating an output, such as control instructions. Thecasino server 24 may also include means for storing information orinstructions. Such means may comprise one or more memory devices. Suchmight comprise RAM, ROM (including EPROM, EEPROM, PROM) or other devicesnow known or later developed. In one embodiment, the servers maycomprise or be in communication with one or more mass data storagedevices, such as one or more hard drives or the like.

The casino server(s) 24 preferably also includes at least onecommunication interface, by which it may receive and transmitinformation. The communication interface(s) may permit communications inaccordance with various protocols (TCP/IP, 802.11xx, etc.) and invarious forms and over various types of links (wired and/or wireless).

The casino server 24 might actually comprise a system or network of aplurality of elements or devices. For example, the server might comprisea network or system which includes multiple servers and related devicessuch as data storage devices, user interface features and the like. Suchmight comprise, for example, a user station which includes a videodisplay and one or input devices (such as a keyboard, mouse or thelike). Such a user station may permit an operator to interface with andmanage or control the server, such as to change operator settings andthe like. The server 24 might also comprise a router and one or moreseparate computing devices. The functions of the various computingdevices might be segregated (including by executing different modules ofsoftware which implement different features/functions).

The one or more gaming devices 22 are preferably in communication withthe one or more casino servers 24 at one or more times. For example, thegaming devices 22 and the one or more casino servers 24 may be linkedvia one or more communication links. These communication links may bewired and/or wireless and may be dedicated, shared, part of a LAN, WANor other network, such as an internal casino network.

The casino server(s) 24 may be configured to implement accounting andticketing functionality. In such a configuration, the gaming devices 22may communicate with the casino\server 24, such as when seeking to printa monetary value ticket upon a cash-out request of a player (such as tocreate a ticket record and associated amount), or when a player seeks toredeem a monetary value ticket at the gaming machine (such as tovalidate the ticket and its amount). The casino server 24 may, forexample, generate and maintain records of monetary value tickets,including their amounts, whether they have been cashed-out, etc., and/ormay perform other functionality, such as accounting functionality(tracking and reconciling monetary value provided to the gaming devices22, amounts wager, amounts won, amounts cash-out, etc.).

The casino server(s) 24 may also implement player trackingfunctionality. For example, the gaming devices 22 may communicate withthe casino server 24 to report player activity. The casino server 24 maymaintain one or more player accounts, such as player loyalty accountswith game play information and loyalty awards, or monetary valueaccounts, such as accounts with associated monetary value that can beaccess by the player.

The casino server 24 may also implement game functionality. For example,the gaming devices 22 may communicate with the casino server 24, such asto obtain game information, including game outcome information, tofacilitate progressive jackpots or other gaming functionality.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 20 preferably includes a financialsystem F. Elements of this system may be operated by an entity which isseparate from the casino and one or more of the element of the financialsystem F might be located at the casino or be remote therefrom. In otherembodiments, financial system F might be part of the casino C, includingbeing operated by the casino.

In one embodiment, the financial system F comprises one or morefinancial servers 28 (which may also be referred to as a jackpotprocessing server or the like), one or more kiosks 30, and one or moremobile transaction devices 32. In general, the financial server 28 maybe configured to facilitate various requested financial transactions.The financial system F may include one or more databases which areconfigured to store information.

The kiosks 30 may have various configurations. In one embodiment, thekiosk 30 comprises a housing, one or more devices for receiving playerinput and/or displaying or otherwise providing information to a player,and at least one credit dispensing mechanism. The informationinput/output devices may include, for example, an electronictouch-screen video display. Other input/output devices may include oneor more push-buttons, keypads, keyboards and/or other elements. Thecredit dispensing mechanism may comprise, but it not limited to one ormore of: a currency dispenser, a coin dispenser, a ticket or other mediadispenser (such as a magnetic card dispenser), or a media writer (suchan RFID encoder or the like).

In one embodiment, the kiosk 30 includes at least one processor forexecuting machine readable code or software, and at least one memorydevice for storing machine readable code or software for execution bythe processor. In one embodiment, the kiosk 30 includes at least onecommunication interface, such as for establishing a communication linkwith one or more other devices, such as the financial server 28. Thekiosk 30 is preferably located within the casino C, such as where aplurality of kiosks 30 are located about the casino floor for access byplayers and/or attendants, as described below.

The mobile device 32 may comprise, for example, a tablet, but might alsocomprise a PDA or phone, or comprise a special-purpose device which isconfigured to implement the functionality herein. The mobile device 32preferably comprises a housing, at least one display device (such as avideo display), at least one user input device (such as one or morebuttons, a touch screen, etc.), a processor, a memory, and acommunication interface. Preferably, the communication interfacesupports or enables wireless communications. The memory may storemachine-readable code which, when executed by the processor, causes themobile device 32 to implement the functionality herein. In someinstances, that code may comprise, for example, an “application” whichis stored and runs on the mobile device 32. In other embodiments, themobile device 32 may be configured to implement a web browser whichcauses the mobile device 32 to implement the functionality herein whenthe mobile device 32 is in communication with the financial server 28(or other server/device). As described below, the mobile device 32 maybe operated by a casino attendant A and may include various securityelements (secure logins, etc.).

In one embodiment, the financial system F is configured to communicatewith one or more external devices or networks. For example, thefinancial system F may communicate with the Internet, and thusindividual players, an external banking network, etc.

In one embodiment, as described below, the financial system F mayinclude an email server 34. The email server 34 might be implemented invarious manners. In one embodiment, it is implemented 34 separately fromthe financial server 28, such as via a different computing device. Theemail server 34 may, for example, be segregated from the financialserver 28 or other aspects of the financial system F or casino system C,including by one or more firewalls.

Additional aspects of the system 20 (including the configuration ofmachine-readable code or “software” which is executable by theprocessors of the various devices of the system 20) will be appreciatedfrom examples of use thereof as described below.

Additional details of the invention will now be described.

Jackpot Processing with Form Access Via Link

One aspect of the invention is the processing or generation of jackpotrelated forms, including the generation of player-related forms such astax forms, and configurations of providing such forms to the player.

In one embodiment, a notification of a gaming machine jackpot isreported and/or received. As one example, a player may play a gamingdevice 22 such as that illustrated in FIG. 1. The player may obtain awinning game outcome. The winning outcome and/or associated award may bereported, such as by the gaming device 22 to the casino server 24. Ifthe winning game outcome has an award over a designated amount, theneither the gaming device 22 and/or casino server 24 may detect or flagthe outcome or award as requiring secondary validation, reporting or thelike.

In one embodiment, the jackpot event is reported from the casino server24 to the financial server 28. Casino personnel may also be alerted tothe jackpot win, such as by the casino server 24 and/or financial server28. An attendant may obtain a mobile processing device 32 and travel tothe gaming device 22 that the player is playing. The attendant may loginto the device and then obtain information about the jackpot award.This information may be provided to the mobile processing device 32 fromthe financial server 28. In one embodiment, one or more jackpotprocessing forms may be displayed to the attendant. These forms may betransmitted to the mobile processing device 32 and/or reside on thedevice, where those forms are preferably autopopulated with informationwhich is stored by or obtained by the financial server 28 (eitherdirectly or as gathered from the casino server 24). For example, theforms may include a W2G form which is populated with informationregarding the player and the amount of the winnings (the informationregarding the amount of the winnings and the player may be obtained, forexample, by the financial server 28 from the casino server 24, includingbased upon the player's casino rewards account). Alternatively, or inaddition, the attendant may manually gather information from the playeror have the player enter the information into the mobile processingdevice 32 in order to complete the required forms (these forms mayinclude government required reporting forms, casino release forms orother documents). For example, if the player does not have a playertracking account, the attendant may need to obtain the player's identityinformation directly.

In one embodiment, once the forms are complete, the attendant capturesthe player's signature (directly onto the forms or for association withthe forms). This may comprise having the player sign via a touchscreenof the mobile processing device 32. The completed form(s) or associatedinformation is then transmitted from the mobile processing device 32back to the financial server 28. The financial server 28 may store thecompleted forms, such as in association with one or more transactionrecords, may transmit the forms to the casino, and/or may transmit theforms to the appropriate authorities (such as the IRS). Also, once theforms have been completed, if the jackpot is a ‘hand pay’ jackpot, theattendant may be notified that the jackpot can be paid or issued.

If not already done, the financial server 28 preferably collectspersonal information regarding the player. This information may beobtained from the casino server 24, such as from a player trackingaccount for the player. Alternatively, the information might be obtainedfrom the player, such as based upon information that the player providedto the attendant and which was input to the mobile processing device 32.This information may comprise one or more of the player's name, address,phone number, email address, social security number and the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more jackpot-related formsare made available to the player. Most preferably, the one or more formsare made available to the player in a secure manners.

In one embodiment, a player may be required to sign up or consent tohaving the one or more jackpot-related forms provided to them in one ormore particular manners. This may comprise, for example, the playercompleting an enrollment form. This may comprise the player reviewing anenrollment form and accepting the terms and conditions thereof. In oneembodiment, the enrollment process may comprise the capture of playerrelated information, such as the player's email address. The player mayalso create or be assigned a password or other security/accessinformation.

In one embodiment, as to each enrolled player, the system 20 ispreferably configured to facilitate access by the player tojackpot-related forms. In one embodiment, when the player is enrolled,the system 20 is configured to send an email EM (such as via the emailserver 34) to the player with a website link. The player can access thelink from their email and click on the link, thus enabling a connection(such as via a web browser of their computing device or phone) to thesystem 20, such as the email server 34. The link preferably enables aconnection to forms D which are stored in association with the system 20(such as in association with the email server 34). The forms may, forexample, be in PDF format and the player may be permitted to open them,download them and/or print them.

In one embodiment, the method of permitting the player to access theirjackpot-related forms may include one or more authentication orvalidation features. For example, in one embodiment, when the playerclicks on the link that was emailed to them, a verification code istransmitted to them, such as to their phone (such as by text message) orvia a second email. The player may be required to input the verificationcode as part of the form access process, where the verification codeessentially comprises a password for access to the forms. Thisauthentication feature might be required or might be optional, such asbased upon player selection during the enrollment process (or as latermodified by the player).

In one embodiment, an email might be generated by the system 20 andtransmitted to the player each time one or more new forms are madeavailable for the player. For example, a first email might betransmitted to the player when jackpot forms have been generated for theplayer relative to a first jackpot at a first time, and a second emailmight be transmitted to the player when jackpot forms have beengenerated for the player relative to a second jackpot at a second time.In addition, at the end of each year, “year-end” forms may be generatedfor the player and another email may be sent to the player to facilitatethe player's access to those forms. In one embodiment, each email mayprovide a link to a particular location where specific or designatedplayer documents are accessible, while in others, the links may allprovide access to a common location, such as a folder, which containsall forms relating to the player.

FIGS. 2-5 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof jackpot processing in accordance with the invention, wherein FIG. 2is a flow diagram of an electronically implemented method of obtaining aplayer consent for electronic form processing, FIG. 3 illustrates anelectronic player record with associated player information, includingplayer consent status and contact details, FIG. 4 illustrates a termsand conditions electronic acceptance interface, such as for consentingto electronic transmission of tax forms as described herein, and FIG. 5is a flow diagram of an electronically implemented method of processingplayer jackpot forms in accordance with the invention.

A particular advantage of the invention is that a player is providedwith an electronic copy of jackpot related forms, such as a generatedW2G document. This avoids the need for the player to later request acopy of the form from the casino. In addition, access to the forms issecured. In particular, the forms are not themselves transmitted to theplayer. Instead, the player must access the forms.

Another advantage of the invention is that the email server 34 is notdirectly a part of the casino system, including the casino server 24.Thus, when a player is accessing their jackpot-related forms, they arenot communicating directly with the casino system or server 24, and thusthe security of the casino system is not at risk (which could otherwiseallow a party to attempt to hack the casino system or server 24 tomanipulate the system, etc., risking the security of the gaming-aspectsof the casino system and the integrity thereof).

In another embodiment of the invention, the player might have enrolledin a wallet or other financial account with the casino or financialprovider. In that event, the player may have a wallet which ismaintained by the system 20, such as the financial server 28. Thiswallet might have various information stored in association with theplayer or the player's identity, including financial accountinformation, funds information and the like. In one embodiment,jackpot-related forms for the player may be placed into the player'swallet and the player may then access the forms by accessing theirwallet (which access may require, for example, one or more aspects ofauthentication or verification).

Additional aspects of the invention will now be described. As indicated,the invention may be implemented relative to a casino system having oneor more gaming machines or other devices for use in presentingwager-based games.

It will be appreciated that the configuration of the invention whereinjackpot related forms, such as tax forms, are electronically generatedand made securely available to a player, may be implemented relative toother jackpot processing configurations.

As one example, while in some embodiments a jackpot notification isgenerated by the system and an attendant travels to the gaming machineto aid in the processing of the jackpot, including payment of thejackpot to the player (and then generation of the forms as describedabove), in some embodiments, the jackpot may be paid directly to theplayer by crediting the jackpot amount to the credit meter of the gamingmachine. For example, a casino slot accounting system may be configuredto log the jackpot and allow the jackpot amount to be credited to thecredit meter of the gaming machine. The player might then wager thecredited amount in future game play, cash the credited amount out fromthe gaming machine (such as by transfer of the credits to a wallet,issuance of a monetary-value ticket from the gaming machine, etc.). Thejackpot forms, such as the jackpot-related tax forms, might still beprocessed with the aid of an attendant as described above, but where theattendant then does not have to hand-pay the jackpot to the player.

In one configuration, the system may be configured to generate a jackpotnotification (such as from the gaming machine 22 and/or server 24 inFIG. 1). That notification may be received and trigger (such as at thefinancial server 28), generation of the jackpot forms, such as taxforms. In some embodiments, the processing of the jackpot, such as thejackpot-related tax forms, might also be automated, such as to eliminatethe need for an attendant to travel to the gaming machine.

For example, in one configuration, the financial server 28 may beconfigured to cause jackpot information to be displayed to the player atthe gaming machine 22 (such as on a video display thereof). Thisinformation might include information about the jackpot and the player'sidentity and a request that the player confirm the information and inputa signature (such as via a touch-screen of the gaming machine). Uponreceipt of player identity confirmation and/or a signature, thefinancial server 28 might automatically process the jackpot andassociated forms and make them available to the player, such asdescribed above. In this configuration, an attendant then does not needto travel to the gaming machine 22 to facilitate processing of thejackpot, including by hand-paying the jackpot to the player and/orcapturing player information/signature, etc.

In some configurations, a player might pre-enroll in an express jackpotprocessing option. This pre-enrollment might allow, when a jackpot ishit, for the system (such as the financial server 28) to send anauthentication notification to be send to the player. This notificationmight comprise, for example, a text message, email or the like, such asmay be sent to the player's mobile device or display on the display ofthe gaming machine 22, which the player uses to verify their identity.As one example, upon receiving a jackpot, a security code might betransmitted to the player's mobile device by a text message and ajackpot notification may be displayed to the player at the gamingmachine 22, which notification requests that the player enter thesecurity code. The entry of the security code may be used toauthenticate the player, whereupon the jackpot-related forms, such astax forms, may be generated and made available to the player (with orwithout requiring that the player provide a signature). In otherembodiments, player identity confirmation, signature or the like may beperformed by the player's device, such as their mobile device, such asby directly transmitting a request (text/email) to their device seekingconfirmation of approval for processing (in such a configuration, thegaming machine 22 may be locked up from further play until theconfirmation is received from the player).

Jackpot Processing Suspension

Another embodiment of the invention is a jackpot processing suspensionfeature. As noted above, part of the process of processing a jackpot fora player may involve several steps, including confirming the jackpot,obtaining information from the player, validating the identity of theplayer, paying the player and the like.

In some embodiments, one or more issues may impede processing of thejackpot. This might result, for example, in the machine remaining out ofservice for a long time, require that the player travel to a differentlocation, tie up the casino host for a long period of time (thuspreventing them from processing the jackpots of other players or thelike).

As one example, a casino attendant might travel to a gaming machine tovalidate a player jackpot. The casino attendant might determine that theplayer does not have a photo ID, thus preventing the attendant fromvalidating the player and thus completing processing of the jackpot andpaying the jackpot out. The casino attendant might wait for the playerto locate their ID, such as by travelling to their car or the like toretrieve it. As indicated above, this is undesirable for many reasons.

In accordance with the invention, the jackpot processing may be pausedor suspended. In this process, a jackpot record is created with in thesystem 20, as noted above. This record may include information regardingthe jackpot, such as the amount, time, gaming machine that issued thejackpot and the like. The jackpot may be associated with the player(including based upon their name), such as by the casino attendant Ausing one of the mobile processing devices 32. As part of this process,the attendant A may seek to validate the player's ID or capture otherinformation about the player. If the player is not able to provide therequested information or if the attendant A cannot otherwise process thejackpot, the attendant may suspend the jackpot processing.

In one embodiment, this might be accomplished by the attendant Aselecting a “suspend” feature, such as via their mobile processingdevice 32 (see FIG. 1). In one embodiment, in order to suspend thejackpot processing, the attendant A captures an image of the player(preferably of their face), such as using the mobile processing device32. The attendant A uploads this image and it is stored in associatingwith the jackpot record. The system 20, such as via the financial server28 and/or the mobile processing device 32, then generates and issues areceipt. This receipt preferably has a unique identifier (alpha and/ornumeric code, bar code, etc.) associated with it which can be used touniquely identify the jackpot record. The attendant A can then proceedon to process other jackpots and the gaming machine can be released forplay, including by the same or other players.

The player is provided the receipt and can later present the receipt forcompletion of the jackpot processing, such as at a cashier station. Inparticular, the player can present the receipt, which the cashier canuse to look up the jackpot record. The cashier can then request a photoID of the player, using that ID (such as by comparing the image of theplayer on the ID to the appearance of the player) to confirm that the IDbelongs to the player, and then also compare the stored image to the IDand/or appearance of the player to confirm that the receipt belongs tothe player. The cashier can then complete processing of the jackpot,including the processing of any jackpot related forms, and pay theplayer their jackpot.

FIGS. 6-17 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof jackpot process suspension in accordance with the invention, whereinFIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an electronically implemented method ofsuspending jackpot processing in accordance with the invention, FIGS.7-10 illustrate examples of graphical interfaces which may be presentedas part of the method, FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a jackpotsuspension receipt, FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an electronicallyimplement method of releasing (such as for further processing) asuspended jackpot, and FIGS. 13-17 illustrate examples of graphicalinterfaces which may be presented as part of the method of releasing forfurther processing a suspended jackpot.

This aspect of the invention has numerous advantages, including not onlyallowing jackpot processing to be suspended, but in a manner whichavoids the player needing to provide and ID, which may be the veryreason that the jackpot processing can't be completed. Instead,processing can be suspended merely by taking a photograph of the player.

Secondary Service Integration with Jackpot Processing

As one aspect of the invention, jackpot processing may be integratedwith other processes or systems. In one embodiment of the invention, thecasino C may offer player credit lines (such as directly or via a thirdparty vendor). A player might seek a credit line with the casino or thecasino's associated vendor. The player's credit line might be associatedwith a player tracking account of the casino, a player financial walletwhich is managed by the vendor or the like. For example, the credit linemight be managed by the casino server 24 (or other server of the casinoC) or the financial processing server 28 (or other server of thefinancial system F).

In one embodiment, when a casino attendant A seeks to process a jackpot,information regarding the player is provided to the system 20, such asthe financial server and/or casino server 24, to check whether theplayer has an outstanding, unpaid credit line. In such event, thatinformation may be provided to the attendant A and some or all of thejackpot may be used to pay down or pay off the outstanding credit line(such as based upon the terms of the credit line). The attendant A mayso notify the player, including as necessary, issuing a receipt to theplayer which comprises evidence that the jackpot was paid and used topay down or pay off the credit line. Of course, if the jackpot exceedsthe amount of the credit line, any overage of the jackpot beyond theamount required to pay the credit line may still be paid to the player.

As another example, the system 20 might be configured to implement oneor more wallets or other financial accounts that the player can use tomanage funds, including for use in casino wagering or other activities.In one embodiment, when an attendant A processes a jackpot, theattendant A may ask if the player has such a wallet or account. If so,the attendant A may allow the player to associate the jackpot funds withtheir wallet or account, rather than being paid directly (in someembodiments, the player might be given an incentive for having thejackpot associated with their wallet or account vs. being paid thejackpot). If the player does not have a wallet or account the attendantA may allow the player to create an account, such as by the attendantcollecting an approval from the player (such as via a signature or otheracceptance, including to the mobile processing device 32), at whichpoint an account or wallet may be created for the player, thus allowingthe funds to be deposited thereto.

In other embodiments, when the attendant A processes the jackpot, suchas by obtaining information regarding the player's identity (name,etc.), the system 20 may check to determine whether a wallet or accountexists for the player. If so, the mobile processing device 32 may promptthe attendant A to allow the player to associate the jackpot funds withthe account. If not, the mobile processing device 32 may prompt theattendant A to allow the player to create a wallet or account and thenassociate the funds.

In one embodiment, this process may be called “wallet” integration, andmay have two primary parts:

-   -   a. Part 1—enrolling into a wallet, such as using an interface        associated with the mobile processing device 32. Here        information collected about the player as part of the jackpot        processing (such as, but not limited to one or more of: SSN,        name, age, DOB, address, player card info, etc.) is also used by        the attendant A via-a-vis the system 20 to enroll the player        with a wallet. This saves time from having to collect this        information a second time and makes the player experience faster        (i.e. guest hits a jackpot, attendant collects patron info,        attendant can upsell the patron into cash club wallet with their        data+opt in).    -   b. Part 2—funding an established wallet using the system 20.        When the attendant A processes a jackpot for a player that has a        wallet, jackpot processing system has options that allow the        player to elect some or all of their post-tax winnings to be        deposited to the wallet. This allows the player to manage their        winnings in a cashless way.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the jackpot processingsystem and features may similarly be integrated with a casino loyaltysystem, including loyalty system enrollment. This aspect of the systemmay be similar to that above, wherein actions taken by the attendant Aas part of the jackpot processing, including information obtained fromthe player, may be used to enroll a player in a player loyalty system ofthe casino C, if the player is not already enrolled (which may beconfirmed by the player and/or by passing information regarding theplayer to the system 20 for validation).

In one embodiment, loyalty integration may have four primary parts:

-   -   a. Part 1—enroll a player into loyalty club or program, such as        using an interface associated with the mobile processing device        32. Once again, information collected from or about the player        as part of the jackpot processing is preferably utilized in        order to enable the loyalty program enrollment.    -   b. Part 2—the system, such as the financial server 28, can send        the loyalty system (which may be associated with a different        server or system, such as the casino server 24) a message to        print a player card (or other token) to nearest kiosk or card        printer. This request may be put into a queue in the loyalty        system and processed by an attendant A so they can get a        physical card for the player.    -   c. Part 3—Loyalty system/kiosks can offer player the ability to        enroll into the paperless tax form program, such as described        above. For example, a player may go to a loyalty kiosk and be        presented with the option to opt into paperless tax forms. In        that event, a message is provided to the system 20 (such the        financial server 28) to send all the opt in details and player        details.    -   d. Part 4—Loyalty system/kiosks can offer players the ability to        send themselves tax form and win/loss information. Enrolled        players can use a loyalty kiosk/system and select an option to        email themselves a copy of their tax forms for the previous tax        year as well as win/loss information from that year. The email        may be transmitted in the manner described above.

This aspect of the invention may be applied to integration with othersystems or services, such as an anti-money laundering (AML) system andservice.

FIGS. 18-24 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof jackpot processing and secondary service integration in accordancewith the invention, wherein FIG. 18 illustrates a flow diagram of anelectronically implemented method and configuration of integration ofintegration of jackpot processing with associated systems, and FIGS.19-24 illustrate examples of graphical interfaces which may be presentedto display information regarding a player, including aspects of linkingor unlinking the player information/account to other systems/features.

Jackpot Pouch Management

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, when an attendant Aprocesses a jackpot, they may pay out the jackpot in various manners(except, as noted above, that in some embodiments processing of thejackpot may be suspended and the jackpot may be later paid at a cashierstation or in other manners).

First, the jackpot might be paid in one or more forms. For example, thejackpot might be paid out via one or more monetary value tickets orvouchers (that can, for example, be presented to the game or anothergaming machines for associating value therewith) and/or currency. Theattendant A might, for example, complete processing of the jackpot at akiosk 30 so as to obtain one or more monetary value tickets for paymentto the player.

When the attendant A pay the player at least partially in currency, theattendant A might obtain the currency from a kiosk. In otherembodiments, however, the attendant A may pay the player currency from apouch P. The pouch P essentially comprises a store of currency.

In one embodiment, an attendant is provided a pouch P with an amount offunds, such as at the beginning of their shift. The financial server 28may track the amount of funds in associated with the pouch P, such asbased upon a starting amount, amounts paid out from the pouch, andreplenishments to the pouch P. As one example, each time the attendant Aprocesses a jackpot (whether via the mobile processing device 32 orkiosk 30), the attendant A may designate the manner of payment. As notedabove, a jackpot payment may be “assigned” to an attendant, such as whena notification of a jackpot is received by the financial server 28 froma gaming machine or the gaming system. Upon such a notification, thejackpot may be assigned to an attendant to be paid to the player (suchas by assignment to a particular attendant or by posting the jackpot andan attendant selecting the jackpot for payment, such as via the mobileprocessing device 32).

In one embodiment, the attendant may designate the form of payment forthe jackpot (again, such as via input to the mobile processing device 32or by other input to the system). If the designation includes at leastsome currency payment from the pouch P, that amount is deducted from thepouch P balance. The attendant A may also associate funds with the pouchP. For example, the attendant's pouch P may need to be replenished as itbecomes low on funds after payment of one or more jackpots. In oneembodiment, the attendant A may, for example, replenish their pouch Pvia a kiosk 30.

For example, the attendant A may review all paid jackpots, such asdisplayed by their mobile processing device 32 (or the kiosk 30) andseek a replenishment of funds for selected paid jackpots. In oneembodiment, this may comprise the act of “selling” the paid jackpots(where the one or more jackpots to be “sold” to the system 20 may bereferred to as a “batch”).

In one configuration, upon input from an attendant seeking to sell abatch of jackpots, the mobile processing device 32 may transmitinformation to the financial server 28 regarding the batch. The system,such as the financial server 28, may generate and transmit a redemptioncode (which might be a numerical, alpha, alpha-numerical code, orgraphical code, such as a bar code) which is transmitted to theattendant A, such as their mobile processing device. The attendant A mayenter this redemption code into the kiosk 30, which then transmits thecode back to the financial server 28 for validation. If the code isinvalid, the transaction is ended. If it is validated, the amount of thepayment is validated to the kiosk 30. In response, the kiosk 30 maydispense currency to the attendant A in order to replenish theattendant's pouch with currency.

For example, an attendant A might start with a pouch balance of $5000 atthe beginning of a shift. The system might notify the attendant A of a$2000 jackpot at a particular machine (such as where the financialserver 28 or another server of the system is notified of the jackpotfrom the gaming machine or through a gaming system), such as by sendinga notification to the attendant A (such as via their mobile processingdevice 32). The attendant A may travel to the gaming machine and pay theplayer the $2000 jackpot from their pouch, leaving a balance of $3000.At that time, or a later time, the attendant A may review the paidjackpot and designate it for sale (such as via input to their mobileprocessing device 32) travel to a kiosk 30 (and log in) in order to“sell” that jackpot back to the system and replenish the pouch. This maycomprise designating the paid jackpot for sale (see FIG. 27), such asvia input to the mobile processing device 32. The system, such as thefinancial server 28, may generate and transmit a redemption code whichis transmitted to the attendant A, such as their mobile device. Theattendant A may enter this redemption code into the kiosk 30, validatingthe sale/redemption. In response, the kiosk 30 may dispense currency tothe attendant A (such as $2000 in this case) in order to replenish theattendant's pouch. At the end of a shift, the attendant A might returntheir pouch to a cashier (such as for counting by a cashier) or acurrency recycler (such as for automatic processing of the currencytherein) to determine an ending pouch balance. This ending pouch balanceis reconciled against the amount of funds tracked by the financialserver 28 (starting balance less jackpot amounts paid plus replenishmentamounts) to verify the ending pouch balance is correct.

In one embodiment, the financial server 28 may generate and store, suchas in an associated database, information regarding each pouch and itsassociated balance information. Each pouch might be identified by aunique ID, or might be associated with a particular attendant A. Forexample, information regarding a pouch may be associated with aparticular attendant A, whereby each time the attendant A logs into thekiosk 30, transactions are associated with the pouch of thatattendant/user.

FIGS. 25-29 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof jackpot pouch management in accordance with the invention, whereinFIG. 25 is a flow diagram of an electronically implemented method ofreplenishing a pouch, and FIGS. 26-27 illustrate examples of graphicalinterfaces which may be displayed as part of a method of replenishing apouch, FIG. 28 is a flow diagram of an electronically implement methodof making a jackpot payment using a kiosk and FIG. 29 illustrates anexample graphical interface which may be presented as part of processinga jackpot payment.

Tip Processing

Another embodiment of the invention comprise a method and system forprocessing tips, and particularly tips from patrons of a gamingenvironment. As one example of the invention, when a player wins ajackpot as described above, the player may wish to tip the attendant orother casino personnel (drink server, etc.). Further, a player mightwish to tip in other circumstances, such as by tipping the dealer at acard table, the croupier at a roulette table or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a tip is electronicallyprocessed. For example, relative to the system 20 described above, aspart of jackpot processing, a player may indicate their desire toprovide a tip to one or more parties, such as the attendant A. As partof the jackpot processing, the player (or the attendant A, at thedirection of the player) may input the amount of the tip, such as to themobile processing device 32. The player may also select (by direct inputor input via the attendant A) one or more recipients for the tips. Therecipients might be selected by name, a badge number or otheridentifier.

When a tip is indicated, it may be deducted from the amount of thejackpot to be paid to the player. The financial server 28 may then trackthe amount of the jackpot in relation to the amount paid to the playerand the amount of the one or more tips. The amount of the one or moretips may be associated with one or more other accounts or the like, suchas a common tip account or a tip account of a particular recipient. Thetips may then be processed by the financial server 28, such as bypayment to the recipients by the casino C (such as part of a payrollprocess, or various other means).

The system 20 might facilitate tipping by a player or patron in othermanners. For example, the system 20 might permit a player to tip one ormore recipients from a casino account or financial wallet having fundstherewith, or from one or more external accounts (such as a bankaccount, credit card or the like), preferably as processed by thefinancial server 28. Such processing might be facilitated by anattendant A via use of a mobile processing device 32, or by a player'sinteraction with a gaming device 22 or a kiosk 30.

In one embodiment, the player may be provided with a receipt thatevidences their tip. A report may also be generated which reflects thetip (and associated information, including the identity of the player,recipient, amount of tip, etc.).

FIGS. 30-31 are screen shots and flow diagrams relating to an embodimentof a tipping feature in accordance with the invention, wherein FIG. 30illustrates a flow diagram of a method of processing a tip in accordancewith the invention, and FIG. 31 illustrates an example tipping report.

It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatusand the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of theprinciples of this invention and many other embodiments andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for electronically processing a jackpotgaming machine win to a player with a player-provided tip, comprising: amobile attendant device, said attendant device comprising a processorconfigured to execute machine readable code, a memory, a display device,at least one user input device and machine-readable code stored in saidmemory; a jackpot processing server comprising a processor configured toexecute machine readable code, a memory, a communication interface, andmachine readable code stored in said memory said executable by saidprocessor; said machine readable code of said jackpot processing serverconfigured to cause said processor thereof to, in response to receivingan indication of an occurrence of a designated game win by a player,cause said mobile attendant device to display information regarding saiddesignated game win, including an award amount thereof; said machinereadable code of said mobile attendant device configured to cause saidprocessor thereof to receive input of an amount of a player-designatedtip from said award amount and transmit said amount of saidplayer-designated tip to said jackpot processing server; said machinereadable code of said jackpot processing server configured to reducesaid award amount by said amount of said player designated tip; and saidmachine readable code of said jackpot processing server configured totransmit information regarding said amount of said player designated tipto a financial server for processing.
 2. The system in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said financial server is configured to associate saidamount of said player designated tip with one or more casino personnel.3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said machine readablecode of said mobile attendant device is configured to cause saidprocessor thereof to receive said amount of said player-designated tipto a displayed graphical interface and receive a signature of saidplayer.
 4. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said jackpotprocessing server is configured to generate a jackpot record comprisinginformation regarding said player, said award amount, said amount ofsaid player-designated tip and a net award comprising said award amountless said amount of said player-designated tip.